Paper-making machine



Dec. 2.3, 1924.

F. S. M DONNELL PAPER MAKING MACHINE Filed May 3.1, I925 2 WW WW Z fifi4 k W M 5 a f 7 Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES FRANK S. MoDONNEL-L, OF BIATTAPAN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORTO RICE, BARTON & FALES, INCORPORATED, 013 WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS. ACORPORATION OF IvIASSACI-IUSETTS.

PAPER-NIAKING MACHINE.

Application filed May 31, 1923.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK S. MoDoN- NnLL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Mattapan, Massachusetts, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Paper-Making Machines, which invention is fullyset forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to improvements in paper making machines, andmore particularly to means for raising and lowering the suction boxes ofsuch machines.

A paper making machine of the Fourdrinier type includes as parts thereofa plura'lity of suction boxes extending across the machinevapproximately parallel to each other and so positioned and secured inplace that the endless making wire travels across the perforated coversof said boxes. The paper, or partly formed or finished paper, on thewire, is thus subjected to the suction of the boxes in succession, eachbox drawing from the paper, through the perforations in'the cover of thebox, a certain amount of the moisture in the paper. The'ends of each boxare positioned or extend beneath two parallel stationary side railsrespectively of the machine frame and two long bolts with cap nutsv arecommonly used at. each end of the box to secure the same in operativeposition to its stationary rail, said bolts passing upwardly throughvertical openings in the end of the box and in the rail and beingengaged above the rail by the cap nuts.

The suction boxes have to be quite frequently lowered from theiroperative position and removed endwise from the machine; this isnecessary, for example, in replacing the making wire (sometimes calledthe Fourdrinier wire). To provide for such removal two parallel tracksare ordinarily provided extending across the machine beneath eachsuction box, and wheels on each box are adapted to be engaged with saidtracks by the lowering of the box from its normal operative position,whereupon the box may be rolled endwise along its tracks out of themachine at one side thereof. The reverse of said procedure is followedin repositioning the box in the machine. Heret-ofore in lowering eachsuction box from its normal operative position secured to the stationaryrails it has been necessary to gradually unscrew the cap nuts from thebolts with a wrench until the box rests on its underlying tracks.

Serial No. 642,627.

A suction box is very heavy and while being lowered in the manneraforesaid its entire weight is on the bolts and nuts and theinterengaging screw threads of the same. Therefore, the unscrewing ofthe nuts under such conditions to an extent to lower each suction boxonto its tracks is a relatively slow and time consuming procedure. Andin replacing the suction boxes it has heretofore been necessary to firststart each nut on the end of its bolt and then gradually turn the nutswith a wrench causing the bolts to be drawn up and thereby lift theentire weight of the suction box until elevated to the rails and securedthereto in operative position. This also is a slow-and time consumingprocedure for the same rea sons as stated with reference to the loweringof the boxes. As a paper making machine represents a considerable moneyit is the effort to run such machines continuously and with as littleinterruption as possible in order to obtain therefrom quantity ofproduct commensurate with the investment. Replacement of the Fourdrinierwire, which wears rapidly. is the main cause of interruption; and sincereplacement of a wire calls for removal of the suction boxes in order toget the old wire out and the new wire in, any saving of time in theprocess of removing and replacing the boxes becomes a factor inshortening idleness of the machine occa sioned by each change of wire.

Generally the object of the present invention is the provision of meansadapted to relieve the bolts and nuts. which secure a suction box in itsnormal operative position to the stationary rails, of the function oflowering the box to position for removal from the machine by endwisemovement and also of the function of raising the box from such loweredposition to its normal operative position, whereby said bolts and nutsmay be both quickly removed and quickly replaced.

A further object is the provision of means adapted to support thesuction box in approximately its operative position while said bolts andnuts are being removed; and further adapted to then quickly lower thesuction box onto its tracks in position to be rolled out of the machineby endwise movement. A further object is to also utilize said means forlifting the suction box from its supporting tracks and supporting itinvestment of while the bolts and nuts which secure it to the stationaryrails are being put in place. A still further object is the provision ofquick-action means such as cam levers and plungers actuated thereby (ascontra-distinguished from slow-action screw-threaded means) for raisingand lowering the suction box from and to position to be removed from themachine and for sustaining the suction box in elevated position whilethe bolts and nuts which secure it in that position to the stationaryrails are being either put in place or removed.

The aforesaid and still other objects hereinafter set forth or apparentare accomplished by the now preferred embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a verticaltransverse sectional view through that portion of a paper making machinewhich includes the suction boxes, said view showing some parts only ofthe mechanism and frame-work;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation corresponding to Fig. 1 and showing only twosuction boxes and their associated parts;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the brackets;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the cam end of a cam-lever; and

Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the plungers which is actuated by acam-lever.

Referring to the drawings, 10, 10, are two of a plurality of suctionboxes such as constitute parts of a paper making machine and which maybe, and are as shown, of well known construction, including a perforatedcoverll, a pair of handles or grips 12, 12, at each end of the box, andtwo pairs of wheels or rollers at opposite ends respectively of the box,the wheels 13, 13, of one pair being journalled to one end of the boxand positioned at opposite sides thereof, and the wheels 14, 14 of theother pair being similarly journalled and positioned at the other end ofthe box. As before stated, the making wire (not shown in the drawing)travels across and in engagement with the top surface of each perforatedcover 11. The covers are commonly made of wood, particularly maple,about 1% inches thick and the perforations usually begin about sixinches from each end of the cover. The travel of the wire thereoverrapidly wears the contacted upper surface of the covers and hence it iscustomary to true said surfaces about once aweek in ordinary running andmore frequently if called for. These covers are also sometimes made ofmetal particularly bronze, and usually of a thickness varying from. inchto one inch. By the lowering of a suction box from its normal operativeposition the rollers 13, 14 at one side thereof are adapted to engage anunderlying track 15 carried by a beam 16,

while the rollers 13, 14 at the other side of the box are similarlyadapted to engage an underlying track 17 carried by a beam 18. Whilethis is the preferred arrangement of wheels and tracks, any othersuitable arrangement thereof may be employed; for example, it has beenheretofore proposed to journal wheels or rollers on the. frame-work ofthe machine adapted to engage suitable track on the suction box uponlowering the latter from its operative position.

19 and 20 are rails positioned at opposite sides respectively of thatportion of the Fourdrinier section of the machine which does not shake,as does the portion in advance of said rails. Hence said rails 19 and 20are known as stationary rails, in contrast to the rails in advancethereof which are vibrated or shaken. These stationary rails are usuallymade of steel encased in a covering of sheet brass and serve to carryother parts of the machine in addition to the suction boxes. As beforestated, an ordinary suction box such as commonly used is very heavy, onefor a 200 inch width, machine weighing approximately 1500 pounds, theweight increasing proportionately for greater widths of machine. Asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, each suction box, when in normal operativeposition, is rigidly secured to and suspended from the stationary railsby long bolts and cap nuts. Thus two bolts 21, 21, pass upwardly throughopenings at one end of a box, through opening in the rail 19 above, andare engaged by cap nuts 22, 22 above said rail. Similarly arranged bolts23, 23 with cap nuts 24, 24 support the other end of the box from therail 20.

As before stated, it has heretofore been the practice with suchstructures to lower each suction box onto its tracks by graduallyunscrewing the cap nuts 22, 22, 24, 24 with a wrench until the wheels orrollers 13, 13, 14, 14 engage the tracks 15 and 17, whereupon the boltsand nuts being relieved of the weight or load of the box, may beentirely removed to permit the box to be rolled endwise out of themachine. The unscrewing of the nuts under such conditions, with theweight or load of the box on the bolts, nuts and their interengagingscrew threads, is necessarily a slow and time consuming operation andalso imposes considerable strain and wear upon said screw threads. Ithas also been necessary heretofore to reverse said procedure inelevating each box from its tracks to its operative position inreassembling the boxes in the machine. In other words, the bolts andnuts and the unscrewing and screwing up of the nuts on their bolts,while sustaining the full load of the large weight of the suction box,have heretofore been relied upon as the only means of lowering the boxesto and raising them from the tracks.

The present invention provides means adapted to support the suction boxin its elevated position while the nuts and bolts which secure it to thestationary rails are being loosened and removed, and to the lower thebox onto its tracks for removal from the machine by endwise movement;said means being likewise adapted, in t1 e replacement of the box tooperative position, to lift the same from its tracks to juxtapositionwith relation to the said supporting rails and to support the box inthat position while the bolts and nuts are being again put in place andtightened to rigidly secure the box in operative position to said rails.As the bolts and nuts in this instance are not called upon to performthe office of lowering the suction box onto or raising it from itstracks, the unscrewing and removal of the nuts and bolts, and thereplacement or screwing up of the same, may be easily and rapidlyaccomplished. The invention is capable of wide ly varying mechanical.expressions, that now preferred being illustrated in the drawing.

30 and 31 are horizontal side beams of the machine frame located atopposite sides respectively of the machine approximately beneath thestationary rails 19 and and serving particularly to support the means bywhich the positioning and removal of the suction boxes is accomplished.A peruliary shaped bracket 32, preferably cast in one piece, is securedto beam 80 beneath one end of a suction box 10 by two bolts 33, engagingthrough slots 3% re spectively of the bracket, said slots allowing somelatitude of adjustment 1Z1 positioning the bracket on the beam. Thebracket is formed with two upright inward.- ly opening pockets 3:) and36 adapted to receive and support the two track beams 16 and 18respectively at one end thereof. A similar bracket 32 is secured in alike manner to beam 31 and supports the track beams attheir other end.Thus, for each suction box and its two track beams, there iscorresponding pair of brackets 32. Each of said brackets includes aninwardly extending arm 37 terminating in a head or sleeve 38 havingtherethrough an upright cylindrical bearing opening for a verticallyoperating plunger bar 39. A longitudi ual groove in one side of saidplunger is engaged by the inner end of a set screw 4-0 in. an openingl'l'lTOLlQh the wall of sleeve 38. this arrangement permittinglongitudinal up and down movement of the plunger in its sleeve whilepreventing rotary move ment of said plunger. At its screw threaded upperend the plunger 39 is engaged by a. nut or head -11 having a flat topsurface adapted to contact a flat bottom surface at one end of thesuction box, as most clearly shown in Fig. 1. At its lower end plungeris bifurcated forming a'slot in which is jo-urnalled a smallantifrictional wheel or roller 42. Beneath each plunger at each end ofeach suction box there is positioned cam lever 43, and since theselevers are all alike and each journalled in a similar bracket fastenedto one or the other of the beams 30, 31, a description of one willsutlice for all. it is a bracket fitting about the inner lower edge ofthe. beam and secured thereto by two horizontal bolts 45, 45, and avertical bolt 46. Said bracket has two inwardly extending arms betweenwhich lever is fulcrumed on a horizontal pivot pin 48 in position forits cam surface 47 to engage the antifrictional wheel $2 of thecorrespondii'ig plunger. It has been found desirable to position thesuction. boxes close together so as to make them act as nearly aspossible as one complete suction box, and this sometimes occasionsirregularity in the relative positioning of the boxes because of otherconditions of construction encmintered. Thus it may happen thatprovisions made for locating brackets 4:4; and their correspondingbrackets 32 would not (without change) locate said brackets always inthe same relative positions one above the other. To give some latitudefor irregularity of such relative positioning and to save the effort andexpense of precise relative positioning. the cam surface 4 f each camlever is quite wide, and the wheel 42 of the plunger may engage saidsurface near the middle thereof or near either end thereof, as shown indotted lines Fig. 2.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1. the cam levers 13 haveelevated the plungers L2, 4.2, with the top surfaces of the heads a1,41, of said plungers in engagement with the bottom surface of the box atopposite ends thereof respectively; and the box has been rigidly securedto the stationary rails 19 and 20 by the bolts 21 and their nuts 22, andbolts 23 and their nuts 24-. the nuts being tightly turned up on thebolts and perforated cover 11 of the box being clamped at its oppositeends between the bottom surfaces of the. rails 19 and 20 respectivelyand the top surface of the edge of the box. is liietore stated. the wearon the top surface of the cover 11, requires frequent truing thereof andeach such truing slightly reduces the thickness of the cover to beclamped between the rails 19. 20 and the top surface of the edge of thebox. To compensate for such diminutions of the thickness of the coverand insure proper functioning of the levers and the plungers in liftingthe suction box to the full extent desired-that is, until the topsurface of the cover contacts the under surfaces of the rails 19 andQO-the plungers are made extensible by rotation of their heads or nuts4:1 in screw thread engagement with the main body of the plungers; inother words the plunger-s can be readily adjusted to the exact lengthdesired.

To remove a box from its operative position in the machine, for examplethe box 10 shown in Fig. 1, the nuts 22 and Ql are first loosened by aslight turn with a wrench, whereupon the nuts may be rapidly saun otftheir bolts by hand it desired, the suction box being in the meantimesupported by the cam-levers and their plungers. .iifter the nuts andbolts have been completely removed, the cam levers 43, 43 are swungoutward at their lower ends, lowering the plungers and with them thesuction box until the wheels of the latter engage the tracks 15 and 17and deliver the weight of the box onto said tracks. The suction box maythen be rolled out of the machine by endwise movement along its tracks.The reverse of said procedure is followed in replacing the suction boxin operative position in the machine, After the suction box has beenrolled along its tracks to proper position under the stationary rails,the cam-levers 43, 4L3 are moved downward to the vertical positions inwhich they are shown in Fig. 1, thereby actuating the plungers to liftthe suction box oii its tracks to the position in which. the top surfaceol, its cover 11 engages the bottom si'irfaces ot the rails 19 and 20.The bolts 2-1 and 23 are then inserted upward through their holes, thecap nuts 23, 2d engaged with the upper ends of the bolts and after beingrapidly spun into position are finally tightened or set by a wrench. tothereby rigidly secure the suction box to the rails.

hat I claim as new is 1. In a paper making machine, the combination ofa. suction box; means by which said suction box is supported inoperative position; means detachably securing said suction box to itssaid supporting means; means onto which said suction box is adapted tobe lowered from its said operative position and by which said box isadapted to be supported while being moved endwise in removing it fromand replacing it in the machine; and other means operable to raise andlower said box from and to its said lowered position to and from itsapproximate operative position and to support said box in saidlast-named position while said securingmeans are being applied orremoved.

2. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box; means bywhich said suction box is supported in operative position; meansdetachably securing said suction box to its said supporting means; meansonto which said suction box is adapted to be lowered from its saidoperative position and by which said box is adapted to be supportedwhile being moved endwise in removing it from and replacing it in themachine; and other means operable to raise and lower said box from andto its said lowered position to and mate operative position and tosupport said box in said last-named position while said securing meansare being applied or removed, said raising and lowering means includinga lever movable toone position to lower said suction box and to anotherposition to raise it.

In a paper making machine, the combination ot a suction box; stationaryrails at opposite ends of said suction box; means detachably securingsaid suction box to said stationary rails in operative position; trackonto which said suction box is adapted to be lowered from its saidoperative position and by which said box is adapted to be supportedwhile being moved endwise in removing it from and replacing it in themachine; and lever actuated means at each, end of the box operable toraise and lower said box from and to said track to and from the positionin which it is secured to said stationary rails and to support said boxin said last named position while said securing means are being appliedor removed.

.4. in a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box;stationary rails at opposite ends of said suction box; means detachablysecuring said suction box to said stationary rails in operativeposition; track onto which said suction box is adapted to be loweredfrom its said operative position and by which said box is adapted to besupported while being moved endwise in removing it from and replacing itin the machine; and other means operable to raise and lower said boxfrom and to said track to and from the approximate operative position ofsaid box when secured to said stationary rails and to support said boxin its said approximate operative position while said securng means arebeing applied or removed.

5. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box;stationary rails at opposite ends of said suction box; means detachablysecuring said suction box to said stationary rails in operativeposition; track onto which said suction box is adapter to be loweredfrom its said operative position and by which said box is adapted to besupported while being moved endwise in removing it from and replacing itin the ma chine; and other means operable to raise and lower said boxfrom and to said track to and from the approximate operative position ofsaid box when secured to said stationary rails and to support said boxin its said approximate operative position while said securing'means arebeing applied or refrom its approximoved said means including a leverthe swinging of which on its tulcrum to one position lifts the suctionbox and to another position lowers said box.

6. In a paper making machine. the com bination of a suction box;stationary rails at opposite ends of said suction box; bolts passingupward through openings in the ends of said suction box and in thestationary rails to suspenn the box from and secure it to said rails inoperative position; track onto which said suction box is adapt ed to belowered and by which said box is adapted to be supported while beingmoved endwise in removing it from and replacing it in the machine; andother means operable to raise and lower said box from and to said trackto and from the ap proximate operative position of said box when securedto said stationary rails and to support said box in its said approximateoperative position while said bolts and nuts are being applied orremoved.

7. In a paper making machine. the combination of a suction box;stationary rails at opposite ends of said suction box; bolts passingupward through openings in the ends of said suction box and in thestationary rails to suspend the, box from and secure it. to said railsin operative position track onto which said suction box is adapted to belowered and by which said box is adapted to be supported while beingmoved endwise in removing it from and replacing it in the machine; andother means operable to raise and lower said box from and to said trackto and from the approximate operative position of said box when securedto said stationary rails and to support said box in its said approximateoperative positon while said bolts and nuts are being applied orremoved. said means including a lever the swinging of which on itsfulcrum to one position lifts the suction box and to another positionlowers said box.

8. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box, astationary rail at one end of said suction box, one or more boltspassing upward through openings in the end of said suction box and insaid staliouar rail each bolt being engaged by a nut at its upper endabove said rail to suspend the end of the box from. and secure it tosaid rail in ooerat-ive position. track positioned below and onto whichsaid suction box is adapted to be lowered and by which said box isadapted to be supported while being moved endwise in removing it fromand replacing it in the machine and means-other than said bolts andnutsoperable to raise and lower said end ot the box from and to saidtrack to and from the approximate operative position of said box whensecured to said stationary rails and to support said box in its saidapproximately operative position while said bolts and nuts are beingapplied or removed. said means including a plunger movable up and. downin engagement with the box and a cam-lever actuating said plunger.

9. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box, astationary rail at one end of said suction box, one or more boltspassing upward through openings in the end of said suction box and insaid stationary rail each bolt being engaged by a nut at its upper endabove said rail to suspend the end of the box from and secure it to saidrail in operative position, track positioned below and onto which saidsuction box is adapted to be lowered and by which said box is adapted tobe supported while being moved endwise in removing it from. andreplacing it in the machine and means other than said bolts andnutsoperable to raise and lower said end of the box from and to saidtrack to and from the approximate operative position of said box whensecured to said stationary rails and to support said box in its saidapproximately operative position while said bolts and nuts are beingapplied or removed, said means including a plunger movable up and down,a head screw threaded onto the upper end of said plunger and adapted toengage said box, and a cam lever the cam surface of which engages thelower end of said plunger.

10. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box;stationary rails at opposite ends of said suction box; bolts passingupward through openings in the ends of said suction box and in thestationary rails said bolts being engaged by nuts at their upper endsabove said rails to suspend the box from and secure it to said rails inoperative position; track onto which said suction box is adapted to belowered and by which said box is adapted to be supported while beingmoved endwise in removing it from and replacing it in the machine; andother means operable to raise and lower said box from and to said trackto and from the approximate operative position of said box when securedto said stationary rails and to support said box in its said approximateoperative position while said bolts and nuts are being applied orremoved said means including a plunger movable up and down at each endof the box and a cam-lever for actuating each of said plungers.

11. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box;stationary rails at opposite ends of said suction box; bolts passingupward through openings in the ends of said suction box and in thestationary rails said bolts being engaged by nuts at their upper endsabove said rails to.

suspend the box from and secure it to said rails in operative position;track onto which said suction box is adapted to be lowered and by whichsaid box is adapted to be supported while being moved endwise inremoving it from and replacing it in the machine; and other meansoperable to raise and lower said box from and to said track to and fromthe approximate operative position of said box when secured to saidstationary rails and to support said box in its said approximateoperative position While said bolts and nuts are being applied orremoved, said means including at each end. of the suction box a plungermovable up and down and adapted to engage said box and a cam-lever thecam surface of which en gages the lower end of said plunger.

12. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box;stationary rails at opposite ends of said suction box; bolts passingupward through openings in the ends of said suction box and in thestationary rails said bolts being engaged by nuts at their'upper endsabove said rails to suspend the box from and secure it to said rails inoperative position; track onto which said suction box is adapted to belowered and by which said box is adapted to be supported while beingmoved endwise in removing it from and replacing it in the machine; and

other means operable to raise and lower said box from and to said trackto and fromthe approximate operative position of said box when securedto said stationary rails, and to support said box in its saidapproximate operative position while said bolts and nuts are beingapplied or removed, said means including at each end of the suction box,a plunger movable up and down, a head screw threaded onto the upper endof said plunger and adapted to engage said suction box in supporting thesame, and a cam lever the cam surface of which engages the lower end ofsaid plunger.

13. In a paper making machine, the combination of a suction box adaptedto be operatively positioned in. the machine at one elevation and to bemoved to another elevation for removal from the machine; means by whichsaid suction box is supported in its operative position; meansdetachably securing said suction box when in operative position to itssaid supporting means; and quick-action means operable to raise or lowersaid suction box from one of said positions to the other.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

FRANK S. MGDONNELL.

